Executive Chef John Liu provides tastes and flavors of the islands with Polynesian and fresh seafood dishes prepared in glass-enclosed Chinese wood fired ovens. The diverse menu features Asian dishes from the wok, Calcutta curries, and luau-style dinners for two or more guests.

For private parties, the Puka and Samoan Rooms offer a view of the oriental garden and seat 90 guests or a reception of 150. The Garden Room, also overlooking the oriental garden, is perfect for a party of 120 or a reception of 200. For Tahitian décor for a party of 30, guests can reserve the Tonga Room.

On Thursdays, guests are invited to Mai Tai Time. For a special price throughout the evening, visitors can taste the restaurant's internationally famous cocktail, a blend of Martinique and Jamaican rums, fresh lime and crushed ice.

Last week I was was going to be in Atlanta and seized the opportunity to try my first Trader Vic's Mai Tai. I had been working on my Mai Tai recipes at home for months now and wanted to see for myself what a REAL Trader Vic's Mai Tai tasted like. Joel the bartender does a real good job. I picked up some Mai Tai mix, Ogret Syrup, Passion Fruit Syrup and Mai Tai glasses. I would have bought more, but they were low on other mugs and stuff. Didn't make it in time for dinner, so I will have to schedule another trip. I took a bunch of pictures, enjoy! Interior Entrance

Exterior Entrance at Night.

Tiki Gods by day

They have some pretty cool stuff here in the display case, but not as much for sale.
Joel taking a break outside.

Atlanta Trader Vic's is a delight. They are very happy to make an occasion special for you (just call ahead). I've celebrated my own birthdays, master's degree completion, and "moving away-ness"(?), as well as those of others. The hours are not what we would hope for, however; do call ahead to make sure they'll still be open if you're planning a late-night stop-by, as they close rather early.
(404)221-6339

The food can vary at this TV's. The curry dish is always good, but sometimes the food is overcooked when they're rushed. But you probably weren't coming here for the food, were you!

Another note: parking is free in the hotel garage (undeneath, entrance from behind), but ONLY if you get a dinner. It technically is not free if you only get drinks. Sometimes they wave this one, sometimes not. I've bypassed it by buying a TV coconut mug and getting a stamp that way. Better than paying for parking and walking away empty-handed! (each is $6 or $7)
_________________"Zazz captivates felt."

Recently there was an article in Atlanta's Creative Loafing Newspaper about Joel Lindsay, the bar supervisor at Trader Vic's in Atlanta. I tried to scan the article, but it turned out horrible. The link above should take you to the article. I have included the text below in case the link expires.

For three-and-a-half years, Joel Lindsey has donned a Hawaiian shirt as the bar supervisor at Trader Vic's in downtown Atlanta.

What did you do before bartending?

I went to bartending school when I became disillusioned with teaching. I discovered there is significantly more money in it. I was in grad school studying philosophy.

Does your educational background help with your job?

Philosophy is the practice of how to think in a cosmopolitan manner, different ways to view the world and different people from a detached perspective. A bartender's most important skill is to be chameleon-like and engage people on their own terms.

Explain the enduring appeal of a kitschy Polynesian bar in the basement of a downtown hotel.

There's a certain authenticity to the fakeness of Trader Vic's. It's a representation of what was popular 40 years ago. It has a radically different atmosphere than any other bar in city.

I've got this image that customers are either hard-bitten booze-hounds or students.

It ranges. We get a lot of the hip Little Five Points crowd, students from Georgia State, SunTrust people and the occasional old couple who got engaged at Trader Vic's 30 years ago.

Are there more locals or conventioneers?

It varies widely. In our slower periods, we get a lot of regulars who are not necessarily tiki-philes but who like the oasis it provides.

Any misconceptions you want to clear up? Like that women throw themselves at bartenders.

That's not really true. They flirt a lot, but I don't get many straightforward offers. I deflect that by mentioning my wife.

And here's me at Trader Vic's Allanta last year (wearing my authentic Kahiki Maoi necklace). I went with my brother and his wife who traveled about 500 miles to attend one of Tiki Kiliki's "Tiki Torch Nights"! (under the ruse that they were visiting me) We had a blast. Sadly, I am moving just before the 30th anniversary:(

Ever noticed how people like to strike the same poses as the tiki's they are posing with? I wonder if there's a psychological term for that...

On 2007-01-11 04:43, Dan wrote:I had my last Mai Tai there before getting back on the train to return here to lovely Iraq. Though with my latest extention I am working on my drinks here with mixed results.

Come home safe and sound and SOON. Barmaster Joel will have your Mai Tai's poured and waiting for you at the bar when you return.

I'd be interested in hearing about your tales of mixing tropical drinks in the middle of the desert! If you have any to share, we'll see you over in the Drinks and Food forum.

I'm gonna bump this thread because I love this Trader Vic's and to let y'all know about the current specials. Thursdays are $5 Mai Tais along with performance from Tongo Hiti in the bar. If you pick just one night to visit, make it a Thursday. The website says Fog Cutters are $5.50 from 5pm to 7pm on Fridays, but I could have sworn they were a bit more on our last visit. It's hard to remember after four hours of rum.

I will second that. Kailuageoff, Marian, Tiki Kiliki, Karbora, along with myself and my wife had a spectacular time there during a much needed pilgrimage back in April. Sorry, no pictures. Sometimes things are just better remembered...

I just made my first trip to Trader Vic's Atlanta! After several weeks of initial introduction and immersion into the tiki culture, I convinced my lovely lady to join me in a quick trip to Polynesia ala Georgia.

What a great place to begin with! The decor is just outstanding as was our service. I was VERY pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. With my focus on the drinks menu (not the cover, haha), I just didn't expect too much from the food. I had to have the Mai-tai first and then had a Fog Cutter followed by an individual Scorpion. They were all quite tasty and beautifully presented. I will have to say, I thought they were a tad too sweet. I only say this because I just got Beachbum Berry's Remixed and have been practicing the TV's Mai-tai prior to the trip. However, the overall strength definitely made up for it.

All in all, We had a great time and I'll definitely go back... On a Thursday.

Cheers!

_________________One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong and four of weak.